ID No. 019 - Chapter 11.1

Chen Yang didn’t venture deep into the mountains. He chose a spot where he could hide and still observe the area below. The only person with him was the young man; the other three had run off.

From his vantage point, he had a clear view of the houses as they were situated in a dip that was surrounded by peaks.

Chen Yang lowered his voice. “This place is good. How did you find it?”

“I found it on the first day I came into the mountains.” The young man leaned against a tree, his voice slightly nasally. He sounded tired, but not at all flustered. “You keep watch; I’m going to sleep for a bit.”

Chen Yang was left speechless.

There were plenty of places to hide in the mountains. As long as they were careful, they should be able to stay hidden.

Zhang Yan descended the mountain again and hid behind the wardrobe in Old Madam Qi’s house.

The most dangerous places were often the safest – that was what Zhang Yan believed.

Meanwhile, Lin Yue was walking through dense bushes, clutching a piece of metal. She heard haphazard footsteps getting closer, so she quickly hid in the undergrowth. What she saw was a plump man running in her direction, his face full of panic. He kept glancing back as he ran, and ended up tripping and falling to the ground.

A few wooden figures appeared behind the man. They had popped up out of nowhere, as if chasing a scent, and they knocked him out and dragged him away.

Lin Yue waited until it was safe before coming out. It seemed that, apart from their group, a small number of people on the island who hadn’t been cursed weren’t all foolishly staying home as the old woman had advised.

Some had sensed that something was wrong and secretly ran out, wanting to hide in the mountains and escape the island.

The hunt had begun.

Lin Yue cautiously walked around for a while when she suddenly caught a glimpse of a small piece of clothing poking out from behind a big tree. After a brief hesitation, she carefully made her way to the base of the tree.

She heard the sound of stifled sobs.

Lin Yue’s murderous intent subsided when she saw who it was. “It’s you!”

Ah Wu stopped crying and turned to look in the direction of the voice, his eyes widening in surprise when he saw Lin Yue. “Miss… Miss Lin?” Then came an overwhelming feeling of joy, as if he had finally found a savior: “Miss Lin, it’s great to see you!”

Zhao Yuan was running. He had intended to stick with Chen Yang, but Chen Yang wanted to wait for that cripple, which slowed down their pace, so he ran off on his own. However, he was out of luck and was spotted soon after running in a different direction.

Zhao Yuan regretted it deeply; he should have followed Chen Yang.

Chen Yang had already been cursed and was carrying a burden with him, yet he had remained unscathed. Wasn’t that luck and character beyond belief?

Zhao Yuan vowed that he had to find Chen Yang after he escaped. Once he found him, he would stop running off and stick close to him.

In a moment of desperation, Zhao Yuan jumped into a big water vat filled with filthy, green water when he noticed his pursuers approaching. He curled up and ducked his head as low as possible, covering his mouth and holding his breath.

Zhao Yuan was an athlete and was very good at swimming, but due to his anxiety, his calves soon started to cramp and he ran out of breath.

I can’t hold on anymore.

What should I do? I don’t want to die.

Is there anyone who can save me?

It seems quiet outside.

They must have left, right?

Should I… take a look?

Let’s just take a peek.

Zhao Yuan covered his mouth to stifle a cough. Then, he peered out of the water vat, only to come face to face with three pairs of hollow eyes.

Chen Yang sensed something and glanced south; someone in their group had been caught.

The most likely candidate was Zhao Yuan.

The young man coughed a few times.

Chen Yang noticed the man’s lips were pale and dry, and had dark circles under his eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“I have a fever,” the man said in a raspy voice.

Chen Yang stared at him in shock. “Is it serious?”

“I don’t know.” The man closed his eyes.

Chen Yang suddenly felt a sense of restlessness and rummaged through his backpack, growing more flustered with each item he pulled out.

The items in his backpack were what he had bought on the day he was discharged from the hospital. He had forgotten to sort them out when he returned, disgusted by the bread he ate.

Tissues, milk candy, a bottle, soap, notebooks, and pens… It was a bit messy.

There was no cold medicine.

Chen Yang stuffed everything back into the backpack. “Do you know any herbal remedies? I can look for some.”

The man gave him a glance.

Chen Yang sensed the complicated feelings behind that glance and smiled. “Let’s finish the mission as soon as possible. I have a feeling we’ll be out of here soon.”

The man closed his eyes again and said nothing.